Friday, October 12, 2007

Mountainous molehillsSummary:Be accepting of those who are learning. Don't make mountains of molehills. Some aren't ready to completely free themselves, and let them take their time. For trivial things, like holy days and food requirements, everyone should do whatever they think is right without being judged. They certainly shouldn't do something if they still think it's wrong! In reality, it doesn't matter. Even if we live or we die, we are still God's.Don't let these little things become stumbling blocks. All food is clean, but if someone doesn't agree, then don't eat 'unclean' food around them. Some parts of your faith are actually best kept privateKey verse:14. I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.My thoughts:There is a small amount of space within Christianity for relative morality, ie. you only do wrong if you do something you believe to be wrong. This appears to be the case on 'disputable matters', however defining disputable matters poses a significant problem.As always, it's best to understand things in context. Paul's issue is that many people believed they still had to follow parts of Jewish law to be a Christian. Paul is showing that if someone is a big confused on the more ceremonial laws, then they should do what they think it right. If they don't do what they think is right, then they have still done something out of a heart of disobedience. What is not referred to here it an attitude of 'if you can justify it, you can do it'. You can justify everything, and lots of things are not disputable matters.Most churches split over disputable matters, I would contend.

About Me

Pete grew up in New Zealand, where at age eleven he chose to strive to make his entire life center on Jesus Christ. He completed a B.Sc. in Physics and a B.Theol. in Biblical Studies at the University of Otago. He has worked as a Student Pastor and High School Teacher before coming to Harvard Divinity School to complete an M.Div., with which he graduated in May 2014. He has always harbored a passion for Biblical Studies, Biblical languages, science, and proclaiming the Gospel.
In August 2014, Pete married his wife Kelly, a tax lawyer who is an alum of Boston University’s Law Christian Fellowship. They met at an InterVarsity retreat in 2012, and live in a beautiful loft in Jamaica Plain.